The site of Carrig Castle sits at the foot of an east-facing slope, commanding views across the Owenanare River valley below. Once home to the MacAuliffe family, this stronghold would have been a formidable presence in the North Cork landscape during its heyday.

Today, visitors will find only subtle traces of the castle’s former glory. Grass-covered wall foundations mark out what historical records describe as a compact square structure, with each side measuring approximately 33 feet according to a 1934 survey by Bowman. The site has suffered considerable damage over the centuries; quarrying operations on the northeast side have carved away a portion of the original footprint, whilst stones from the demolished castle were unceremoniously dumped over the edge of a nearby scarp.

Despite its ruined state, the location speaks to the strategic thinking of medieval castle builders. The MacAuliffes chose this spot carefully, positioning their fortress to oversee river traffic and surrounding lands whilst maintaining a defensible position on the slope. Archaeological surveys continue to reveal new details about the site, with the most recent updates to the official inventory occurring in 2009, ensuring that even fragmentary remains like these continue to contribute to our understanding of medieval Irish fortifications.